Alexander Zverev stands up for ‘leader’ Novak Djokovic: ‘He was again portrayed as the bad guy’

Tennis News
Alexander Zverev in action

Alexander Zverev has defended Novak Djokovic in the wake of the world No 1’s controversial quarantine pleas to Australian authorities.

Djokovic copped some flak after he sent a list of requests to government and Australian Open tournament officials. Among the requests – which some reported as a “list of demands” – were better food for those in hard lockdown as well as shorter quarantine periods and “private houses with tennis courts” for those affected.

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Djokovic later issued a statement defending himself against allegations of being “selfish, difficult and ungrateful” while tournament chief Craig Tiley also came out to bat for the 17-time Grand Slam winner.

And now Zverev has also come to his defence, saying the world No 1 sent the letter on behalf of the players.

“Those were the demands from other players who are in quarantine,” Zverev told Eurosport Germany.

“We were all in a group chat. Novak was just there as a leader and as the number one player in the world and he sent the letter out. It was not his own letter, it was the points that were asked by other players.

“He was again portrayed as the bad guy, which is not true because he was just standing up for others.”

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Alexander Zverev

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